Last year I amped up the layout under the Christmas tree (for the kids, not me :-))
Things went really well but needs improvement. Biggest problem was frequent uncouplings. I think this was a result of 1 using OSB plywood as a base and 2 nailing my tracks down. I’m keeping the same general layout design but want it to run without decouplings
First some unique things about my layout:
it’s on the floor (carpet)
it goes under the sofa and back
This this year I’m thinking of laying the track on foam board with or without plywood underneath. And securing the track with adhesive.
I’ve built many layouts over the years using OSB and nailing tracks. That combination alone doesn’t cause cars to come uncoupled while running. There has to be other issues at play. Have you checked the height of the couplers on your cars? Are they all the same?
As a general observation, derailments occur a lot on curves when the outer rail of track is lower than the inner rail. The outside wheels might ride up and over the outside track as the inside wheels of the stiff axle remain elevated due to the higher inner rail.
If you nailed the track too tightly causing it to dip in the curves, that can cause derailments.
Also, If you’ve nailed it to OSB that is slightly warped, that will cause the outside rail to dip also.
I see you’re using imgur.com for your pictures. That works well, but you need to use the “BBCode, (message boards & forums” link. Then we don’t have to click on each picture to view it.
The height of the couplers was the same. Well this is how I knew. I would run two cars over the section of track where the detailment would happen. Straight runs of track. And while there was no visual indication when looking at the track, all of the sudden one car would rise and the other would lower. Minimal but enough to make the couplers detatch.
Yep I did that. You can see the little “icons” right above the actual URLs are my attempt at that technique. I added the actual URL underneath in case the image link didnt work. I have a feeling its b/c I’m not a frequent poster and maybe my images need to be approved by an admin? Ive had this happen before, not sure if it was on this forum, but the images later appeared. Frustrating b/c they’re good pics.
hi not sure what that means? “BBCode, (message boards & forums” link? Can you clarify?
Im running two different sets, one using horn hook couplers and another knuckle. the horn hook is some older engines, bachmann, etc with some older tyco type cars. Then I have a brand new Kato Superliner engine with 7-8 superliner cars. They seemed to decouple the most. Not around the curves (I have 24") but again on the straightaways. I think b/c I nailed the track to the cork bed and into the OSB it unevenly pulled down the track in certain places, causing uneveness.
In the right corner of you pic, move your cursor there and you will see get share links. The BB link can be directly pasted into your text without any icons, conversely if hover over your pic you can Copy Image Location and then use the photo icon.
When I did an under tree layout, i braced the base with strapping (1x2) to keep the base from warping. Probably 1x3 lumber would have been better, but I never had any problems.
Now if I could only find y wife’s N track and rolling stock, I could set it up for the great grandchildren. Oh well!
OK. If derailing is happening at the same time, then nailing the tracks down too tightly could contribute. That is easy enough to fix. Loosen the nails a bit. Guessing you’ve tried that though. Looking at your layout, it’s obviously several pieces of OSB butted against each other. Are your uncouplings, or derailments, or whatever, taking place at or near the joints between pieces of OSB?
Happy New Year everyone! Hope you all enjoyed the holidays. I wanted to close out this post with an update on my Christmas Tree layout 2.0 this year. In the end I decided to take a risk and went with MDF board for the foundation. I’m really happy I did. I ended up with a sound, sturdy and level (albeit) heavy base that went onto my carpet, under the tree and the sofa. I built it in the same dimensions as last year. Only one piece was too heavy that I’ll cut in two next year. Definitely learned a lot that will go into version 3.0 for next Christmas. But overall it was a huge success. Looked great, ran almost perfectly with 95% less derailments and decoupling’s. My plan is to move this to the basement and make some of the improvements before I store it until next December.
Wanted to thank you all for so much help making this happen!
First some pictures of the plan and building it. Then a video at the bottom (complete with CGI snow J).
(Give me a few mins b/c I have to edit the post from my phone to add the pics and )
